Pax Christi USA welcomes new Executive Director Charlene Howard

Pax Christi USA is delighted to announce that, after an extensive search, Charlene Howard has been selected as our new Executive Director.

“I am filled with hope at this moment of transition of leadership in Pax Christi USA. It has been a joy to work with Charlene Howard in her role as Chair of the National Council and I now look forward to working with her in this new capacity as Executive Director,” shared Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA. “Her enthusiasm for the faith that does justice, a gospel-based faith that brings genuine peace, is contagious. Her passion for justice and for affirming the dignity of each child of God is impressive and inviting. Her zeal for dismantling racism and cultivating a deep spirituality of nonviolence is compelling. Welcome, Charlene!”

Mrs. Howard has served as the Chair of Pax Christi USA’s National Council for the past three years, beginning in October 2021. Prior to her appointment as Pax Christi USA’s next executive director, Howard worked at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., serving most recently as the Director of Spiritual Life.

“It is my great honor to be selected as the National Executive Director. For the past three years I have served our movement as the National Chair which has been an incredibly invigorating and informative experience. In this new role, I look forward to a more direct role in working with all of you to make Gospel peace a lived reality,” stated Howard.

As a cradle Catholic, a catechist and Catholic School educator, Howard saw her vocation as one that elevates people and shares with them the truth of God’s love for them, while bringing her energy, skills and faith to the work of peace. She has been especially active in building more ties within the African-American community to Pax Christi USA.

“In her last three years as Chair of the Pax Christi USA National Council, Charlene has exhibited visionary leadership qualities that are clearly rooted in an all-encompassing spirituality,” stated Sherry Simon, acting-National Council Chair. “Charlene is also a wonderful connector, always ready with a word of support and a plan to move forward. I’m pretty sure she never met a stranger, and she comes up with creative ways to bring people together with her warmth and humor. Charlene is not afraid to face issues head-on and she does the hard work necessary to resolve conflict, an important quality in our movement to build peace and social justice in a divided world.”

Mrs. Howard shared that her vision for Pax Christi USA begins with how peace and justice are intertwined with each having their roots in love. She believes the movement has a responsibility to continue working to bring about peace in all forms to counter the violence and evil that exists, emphasizing the need to love our neighbors and ourselves as the motivation for treating all people with dignity, respect, and value. She hopes to continue the movement’s work to cultivate an anti-racist ethic and to be a champion in partnership with other like-minded organizations to bring the beloved community into reality.

“I am excited and eager to begin serving in this new role,” stated Howard. “It is an honor and an opportunity that God has provided and to which I will lend all of my gifts and talents so that Pax Christi USA will continue its legacy of being the peace making movement of the Catholic Church. Let’s build peace together.”

Mrs. Howard has already begun her work in tandem with Johnny Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA’s outgoing Executive Director, and will officially start with the organization on July 15. She can reached at choward@paxchristiusa.org with notes of welcome and congratulations.

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For interview requests, please contact Johnny Zokovitch at jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org or 352-219-8419.